Undefeated North American Boxing Organization (“NABO”) Light Heavyweight Champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (8-0, 5 KOs) makes his first title defense on Friday, June 8 against Native American challenger Shawn “The Sioux Warrior” Hawk (23-1, 19 KOs), headlining the fifth and final edition of this year’s popular GYM Fast & Furious Boxing Series, at the famed Bell Centre in Montreal.
Alvarez, a 28-year-old Colombian native who lives in Montreal, is on the fast track to stardom in the 175-pound division. The 2008 Colombian Olympian captured the NABO title belt last December, stopping Emiliano Cayetano (21-3) in the opening round. Alvarez, who is rated No. 15 by the World Boxing Organization (“WBO”), won all eight rounds in his most recent fight against Rayco Saunders (22-15-2) this past April.
“On June 8,” Alvarez said about his 10-round main event, “it will be my first fight as the main event of the GYM series and I’m very proud. In the ring, I intend to justify the confidence they have placed in me, and put on a good show for the Quebec public. Shawn Hawk is a fiery young boxer who has determined to win, but I am sure that I have what it takes to keep my belt in my adopted country.”
The 27-year-old Hawk, fighting out of Atlantic City (NJ), is riding a five-fight win streak, his last four coming since he dropped down in weight to compete in the light heavyweight division. Hawk’s victims at 175 pounds have included Henry Buchanan (20-2), Otis Griffin (23-8-2) and Rubin Williams (29-10-1) for the Sovereign Nations title.
Exciting Montreal middleweight David Lemieux (25-2, 24 KOs) is a caged lion after being sidelined with a right hand injury he suffered last December in his fight against Joachim Alcine (33-2-1, 19 KOs). The 23-year-old Lemieux, ranked No. 23 by the World Boxing Council (“WBC”), takes on tough Mexican-American Jaudiel “Negro” Zepeda (12-5-1, 9 KOs), who gave Renan St-Juste (23-3-1, 15 KOs) all he could handle in his last fight.
“With this fight,” Lemieux predicted, “I restart my career. I know I have disappointed many of my supporters but I recently learned a lot and have matured. I cannot wait to reconnect with the action. Without looking too far ahead, of course, I dream of fighting rematches against (Marco Antonio) Rubio and Alcine in the near future.”
Fighting on a stacked undercard are a trio of talented, unbeaten heavyweights — Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (10-0, 6 KOs), Eric Barrack (7-0, 6 KOs) and Didier Bence (4-0, 2 KOs). Rivas’s opponent will be announced shortly.
Barrack was spectacular on April 20 in his victory by second-round knockout of rugged Sandy Pembroke, fighting out of British Columbia. This time around Barrack faces another former Canadian Olympic boxing champion, Sheldon Hinton (11-8-1, 4 KO), of Alberta, in a six-round bout. Barrack intends to make a powerful statement as one of the best, young heavyweight Canadian boxers with another spectacular knockout.
Bence, who has been out of the ring since last December due to a facial injury, is rapidly developing. His battle-tested opponent, Stéphane “Brutus” Tessier (3-28-1, 1KO), of Longueuil, promises to push young Bence in their six-round match.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is exciting middleweight Ahmad Cheikho (6-4-2, 5K), also fighting out of Montreal, who is a protégé of Camille Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management). One additional fight will soon be announced.
